As we enter a new year, it’s a great time to reflect on 2021, its challenges for the firm and sector, as well as all the positives helping us go from strength to strength. Working with our clients, stakeholders, and the commitment of our colleagues, has created a number of standout moments throughout the year. Take a look at some of them here:
A growing firm
2021 was a particularly busy year, working with clients old and new. With the increased workload, and as we strive to deliver first class service, we have seen a number of new people join the firm, in various roles, from assistants to solicitors. We welcomed back Partner and Solicitor Amanda Bonnick who joined our specialist Affordable Housing team, and in November we welcomed both David Paull and Rebecca Roberts as senior associates and solicitors in our Litigation and Corporate and Commercial teams respectively.
Nurturing our greatest asset
We were pleased to announce a host of promotions throughout the year. From Amy Laver becoming a partner, to the firm appointing nine new senior associates, showing the dedication and commitment our colleagues have, and our drive to help them grow with us at Tozers. Commenting on the appointments, Paul Kelly, Managing Partner, said “Congratulations to all who have been promoted. Their hard work and dedication to both their clients and their colleagues is to be admired. I wish them all well for their next steps in their careers with us at Tozers.”.
High rankings
In October we received the 2022 rankings for both the Legal 500 and Chambers directories. We were delighted to have secured a number of high positions for our Partners, Solicitors and teams. Not just maintain our positions from the previous year but improving on them. To have our individuals and teams named in these results, given the high calibre of firms involved, is a huge endorsement to all involved, and we look with great confidence to next year.
50 day charity step challenge
Throughout the year we took part in different opportunities to raise money for our charities of the year, Hospiscare and Rowcroft Hospice. The aim of the firms’ 50 day step challenge, which started in March, was to get colleagues more active, improve fitness and wellbeing, and raise money for charity ahead of the summer months. With a target of at least 5,000 steps a day, or 3km, for a total of 50 days, participants were encouraged to increase their current level of activity. Some colleagues managed 20,000 steps a day consistently, an amazing feat, given that they also work full time. We are proud of all who took part, especially those who are less mobile and have undertaken the challenge nonetheless. Raising a grand total of £2,852.00.
Return of events
Up and down the country we saw events being cancelled due to the pandemic, but in 2021 as we got back to some sort of normality, events began to pick up again. We enjoyed the return of the River Exe Regatta in the summer, an event which Tozers have sponsored for several years. Also returning were the ever popular running events held by Exeter City Community Trust, including the Exeter Half Marathon, Exeter Live Better Marathon, and Decembers Santa Run, which we are proud to be headline sponsors of.
Awareness weeks
Throughout the year our specialist teams not only provide expert guidance for their clients, but get involved in multiple awareness weeks, to provide information and advice in conjunction with respective charities. From Erb’s Palsy Awareness Week in October, where our specialist Medical Negligence lawyers looked at powerful case studies of those affected by Erb’s Palsy, how it has impacted their lives, and how their stories can inform and support others. To Good Divorce Week, where our expert Family Law team provided guidance on how to achieve a good divorce, how to help protect children through the process, and how to try and avoid divorce in the first place.
A new normal
Continuing from 2020, many of our staff have been working from home, or have introduced hybrid working into their schedules, with some time split between the office and their home. Finding kitchen tables and corners of the house to work at, or having children at home to teach whilst doing our own work, has not always been easy. But all our staff, no matter where they have been working have been dedicated to delivering first class service to all our clients during these difficult times. Thinking outside the box to get everyone involved in some way was important throughout the year, through virtual coffee catch ups to an evening of zoom socials, we’ve been keeping spirits high.
Improving our client experience
Those of you who are eagle-eyed may have noticed that the live chat function on our website has changed. It might only look like a slight update, but the new chat function we have implemented has increased functionality and helped clients keep in contact with us during the pandemic. We have many other exciting developments on the horizon, including the introduction of more intuitive website forms, to help clients contact us no matter the time of day or night, or where they may be.
